. >>> who has the best cookie recipe, michelle obama or ann romney? we'll bring you the results of a contest between these two high profile political wives. >>reporter: good morning, everyone, topping america's money, more turbulence for american airlines as pilots are expected to authorize a strike this week, although negotiations are resuming. in the meantime american says it's found the cause of those loose seats, and improperly installed clamp. auto sales were up again last month to their highest level in more than four years. the automakers were led by toyota. part of the increase is that buyers need to replace aging vehicles and feel more confident about their jobs, also loans, they're now cheaper and easier to get. but another indicator shows we're not quite as confident about the economy. the birth rate fell for the fourth year in a row. the good news is that it didn't fall as much as it has in recent years. then there's the beer index, shipments arriving for the first time since the start of the recession. analysts say that's a sure sign that